My Doctor Refuses to Switch to EMR: Is there Reason to Fret?

Here’s the deal: your family’s been going to the same doctor for more than a decade. He or she is a capable doctor, who probably knows your family’s medical history by heart. Your doctor is, however, apprehensive about transferring their medical records to an electronic system. What could be keeping a competent doctor from making the switch? And is it a reason for you to fret?

A Major Change for Doctors

Some medical professionals are still apprehensive about making the switch to electronic medical records (EMR) as it can be a tedious, time consuming and expensive process.

With an average family physician having about 1,500 to 2,000 patients each, however, going through old paper files and discerning what should go into the system can be a daunting task — especially for doctors with mature practices. Doctors who operate alone may also find it more challenging compared to those who practice with a group.

Huge Benefits in the Long Run

Paper records, however, won’t be a viable option in the future.

Professionals who embrace the digital age deem EMR systems, such as those offered by Raintree Systems, a powerful and effective tool, especially for preventative medicine.

This is because EMR’s not only lets physicians find their patients’ record faster, it also lets them review the patient’s history in a matter of minutes. As doctors are able to quickly identify their patient’s needs, they can easily notify patients about cases that require immediate action, such as cancer-screening tests or delayed vaccinations. Another big advantage of digital systems is that they offer ease in transferring a patient’s medical records and results from one provider to another.

EMR, moreover, helps doctors better explain to patients how their treatments are helping restore their health. With just a few clicks, for instance, a physician can create a chart that shows how a treatment helps control the blood-sugar levels of a person with diabetes. This is especially helpful for patients starting on a new treatment.

What can you do, then, about a physician who rejects EMR? Ultimately, your good relationship with your physician is more important than their way of taking notes. It wouldn’t hurt, however, to try and talk to them — after all, where record keeping is concerned, digital is now the most efficient approach.

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